Arabic version: حقق المحافظون الاسكتلنديون انتصارًا تاريخيًا في الانتخابات الفرعية في أبردين الجنوبية

The Scottish Conservatives have won a Westminster by-election for the first time in more than 50 years, taking Aberdeen South from the SNP. Douglas Lumsden, Tory MSP, triumphed in the seat vacated by the SNP’s Stephen Flynn. This win is notable as it comes shortly after the SNP’s success in the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election.

According to BBC News, Lumsden’s victory saw him defeat SNP candidate Richard Thomson by a margin of more than 6,000 votes, with the Conservatives capturing almost half of the total ballots cast. Lumsden, who is set to resign from Holyrood due to a ban on dual mandates, emphasized the need to halt the destruction of the oil and gas industry, a key issue for his constituents in Aberdeen.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised the win as a “significant” result, highlighting the support from those who had “never voted Conservative before”. She expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the party and reiterated her commitment to advocating for the interests of Aberdeen South residents.

In contrast, the SNP maintained its hold on the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat through Lara Bird, who won by a majority of more than 5,000 votes. Bird emphasized a rejection of the politics of division and hate and a clear mandate for Scotland’s independence. Meanwhile, Labour’s position in the constituency fell from second to fourth place.

Lumsden’s victory is historic, as the last time the Scottish Conservatives won a Westminster by-election was in 1973. The party’s recent success comes on the heels of a scandal involving former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, who faces sentencing for embezzling more than £400,000 of SNP funds. This backdrop suggests a shifting political landscape in Scotland as parties grapple with internal challenges and public sentiment.